As Moore County investigators ask for tips, lawmakers consider ways to protect power grid
Ten days after the attack on Moore County's power grid, investigators are still urging the public to come forward with any information that might lead to an arrest.
Shots were fired into two electrical substations on Dec. 3, leaving 40,000 homes and businesses in the dark for days.
As the sheriff's office works with the FBI to identify a culprit, they are asking anyone with information to call 910-947-4444.
A $75,000 reward is being offered for information that leads the arrest and conviction of the person or group of people responsible.
Officials have filed search warrants in the investigation, but those documents have not been made public, so it's not clear who or what is being searched.
Raleigh-based lawyer Christian Dysart, who represents a client charged with destruction of an energy facility, points out that the attack in Moore County is a federal crime that could lead to decades in prison upon conviction.
“I would assume this would get prosecuted in federal court because the penalties are so much steeper," he said.
Dysart said depending on the motivations and people involved, the attack could be treated as an act of terrorism.
Meanwhile in Raleigh, legislative leaders discussed the attack on the Moore County power substations in their last meeting of the year on Tuesday. They say they’ll investigate what the state can do to protect its infrastructure when they return for next year’s session.
House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate Leader Phil Berger called the attacks a wakeup call. After 9/11, Moore said, there was talk of hardening facilities against similar threats. What happened in Moore County should re-open a conversation.
Moore said "ensuring that everything from your water supply to, of course, electrical, everything else, is as hard as it can be and is protected from from those who will try to commit terrorism. That's basically what that is."
He and Berger are requesting a review of the security of various infrastructure systems and how to best protect them. It's not clear what that would cost and who would pay for upgrades – state or local governments or the utility.
"You can imagine if you're having to build a fortification around one of these things that can get expensive," Moore said.
He said North Carolina will study other states and countries for the most cost-effective solutions.
